Wired Magazine has announced that they will no longer be capitalizing the words “internet,” “web,” or “net”. Why does this matter? Because capitalization signifies some sort of ownership, like a brand or a specific object or place. But the internet is a medium, just like print, radio, and television. It isn’t owned by any individual or group, it’s just out there. And it’s more accessible to the average person than are print, radio, and televison.

I think the word has been problematic because it’s often referred to as “the Internet” or “the Web”, as though it’s a singular system that can be turned off all at once. It’s much more decentralized than that.

I’ve already done this to an extent, but from now on I’m going to deviate from the AP Stylebook and follow Wired’s cue in dotting the “i”.

Just one less time I have to hold down the shift key.